For Immediate Release

Military Families Speak Out Expresses Support for Iraq Veterans Arrested and Injured Outside Presidential Debate

NATIONWIDE - Military Families Speak Out, a national organization of military families
opposed to the war in
Iraq, is
expressing its support for members of Iraq Veterans Against the War who were
arrested and injured by police during a non-violent demonstration outside the
Presidential debate at Hofstra
University in
Nassau, NY on
Wednesday night. In a statement
issued today, the organization said:

"We honor the courage and commitment of the members of
Iraq Veterans Against the War who put their bodies and their freedom on the line
last night to let the Presidential candidates know that it is long past time to
bring all of our troops home from Iraq and give them the care they need and
deserve. And we are deeply troubled
that these brave women and men faced violence and intimidation on the streets of
our own country.

"These veterans
served America proudly when they were in uniform. And they continue to honor their
commitment to their country by speaking out against the unjust and illegal war
that has brought so much pain to our families and to millions of
Iraqis.

"We are proud to
join them in calling on Senator Obama and Senator McCain to listen to honor the
sacrifices of veterans and military families by ending the occupation ofIraq.

Members of Military Families Speak Out took part in the demonstration as
well, but none were arrested or seriously injured.

###

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Further

Lookit These Kids Redux: Over 200 kids in Pennsylvania who defied their school's ban on joining last week's nationwide walkout transformed their ostensible punishment into Civil Disobedience 101 by turning their detention into a silent, moving sit-in. With the community offering support - and pizza - the #Pennridge 225 linked arms, wore the names of Parkland victims and declared the consequences of their actions "a badge of honor" to show "we’ll stand up for what is right."